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Obama’s Cairo address bodes well

I agree that the US President, Mr Barack Obama (editorial “Message of reconciliation”, June 8), has made a very good beginning by reaching out to the Muslim world. Though he has admitted that “no single speech can eradicate years of mistrust”, his style has a freshness which is creating an environment of trust in the minds of Muslims across the world.

He belongs to a family of mixed cultures and understands how people have to fight prejudices. It is now hoped that the US would adopt a realistic approach to the world problems. Mr Obama has touched the right chord by seeking a new beginning between the US and the Muslims around the world. 

In a way, he has touched upon nearly every contentious issue in his historic speech. If he succeeds in giving a practical shape to his ideas then the world would become a better place to live in and different cultures would be able to co-exist peacefully and harmoniously.

ARVIND DHUMAL, Jalandhar

An overhaul of the co-operative system is the need of the hour. Subsidies for milking machines and mechanical fodder cutters can help solve the problem of shortage to a large extent. If dairy is made economically feasible then milk supply will be augmented.

RANA P S MAHAL,President, Shri Yamuna Dairy Association, Hangoli

II

The report shows the insensitivity of persons involved in milk adulteration. Milk adulteration has been going on for a long time and is more prevalent in the summer season when the production of milk goes down due to heat and humidity.

The gap between demand and supply of milk leads to the production of spurious milk. The adulterated milk is highly injurious to the human health and can cause cancer and various other ailments.

Indeed, adulterators cannot be pardoned and must be given an exemplary punishment. The government should chalk up an effective plan to create awareness among consumers with the help of the media.

RAJESH SHARMA, Jalandhar Cantt

Name mismatch

In the middle “Nehru’s nephew Napoleon” (May 30) Uttam Sengupta has stressed the significance of names. However, he needn’t “curse” himself for having been named after the late actor Uttam Kumar without any of the attributes for which the actor was known.

There are many other known cases of name-mismatch. For instance, take the name of the DMK chief, Mr M Karunanidhi. Now “Karunanidhi” means a treasure of mercy. But, Mr Karunanidhi mercilessly applied pressure tactics and ensured that all his kith and kin were accommodated in the Cabinet.

Take the example of the TMC Chief, Ms Mamata Banerjee. “Mamata” symbolises maternal love and affection. I needn’t add what a firebrand our Ms Mamata is, especially when it comes to the game of politics. By the way, Indian women know Brooke Bond better than James Bond.

HARBANS SINGH, Ambala Cantt

Attacks on students

Attacks on Indian students in Australia underlines the passivity of the government of Australia. It is indeed a matter of disgrace for the Australian government that it cannot ensure the safety of innocent Indians.

MEENA VERMA, Sirhind

Perestroika of our own The bold editorial “Beware! It’s not milk” (June 10) and the candid advice given by Mikhail Gorbachev in the article “We had our perestroika; it’s high time for yours” (June 10) need to be commended. Both writings are complimentary to each other. Glasnost and perestroika are certainly needed in three sectors in the northern states, as the sustainable outcome of the political economy demands it. The priority areas are agriculture and allied activities, administrative reforms and the design and delivery of social services. Adulterated milk is only the tip of the iceberg in the long list of afflictions of administrative inaction that is always covered up with arrogance. Spurious pesticides, seeds, edible and industrial oils, medicines, etc, are a few in the long list of woes that are invariably tossed about among various departments. Yet no one is willing to bell the cat. A fresh classical case of administrative inaction and arrogance is the citizen’s despair over a small segment of road in Gurgaon. The Chief Minister had to finally intervene on June 6 to bring in some order and justice to the citizens. On a broader pan-India canvass, the editorial ought to remind the UPA government that the leadership should not ignore the conflict of interests between the agriculture and food ministries. The two independent and yet significant ministries undeniably need two independent Cabinet ministers since they directly impact the lives of millions of “aam adami”. PROF J GEORGE, New Delhi